Huffman resigns Partnership post

Patty Huffman was named executive director of the Partnership for Children last year.

Less than four months into her role as executive director of Partnership for Children of Wayne County, Patty Huffman has announced her plans to leave the area in June.

The news should not come as a surprise, since her husband, city manager Joe Huffman, recently accepted a job as city manager in Pascagoula, Miss. He had earlier announced his retirement from the Goldsboro job, effective later this month.

Mrs. Huffman joined the local Partnership in 2005, initially serving as community services coordinator and becoming program coordination and evaluation director two years later.

When her predecessor in the executive director role, Don Magoon, accepted a position at Wayne Community College in late July, she became interim director.

The board named her executive director in early October.

She confirmed late last week that she would be departing the position to join her husband in Mississippi.

"I'm going to stay until June, when my daughter graduates from the School of Science and Math," she said. "I'm ready to move to the next phase, whatever that is."

She said she had already informed the Partnership board of her decision.

"(We) hope to have somebody in place with enough time for me to help them transition," she said. "This has just all happened very quickly."

She admitted the decision had not been an easy one, as her family had enjoyed living in Wayne County.

"This is a great organization and a great community," she said. "We really did want to stay. Job opportunities weren't popping up for Joe at this particular time frame and this one (in Mississippi) did.

"But at least I will be here for several more months."

Sissy Lee-Elmore, chairman of the Partnership board, said the executive committee will meet Wednesday to discuss options and begin the search for Mrs. Huffman's replacement.

"Patty's done a really good job and we appreciate all she's done," she said. "We're sorry to see that she's going to go."